Plot and Structure in the Short Story

Any story has a particular plot and structure inknown as secondary storylines. Furthermore, they
which all characters play their part. In the shortsometimes use double plots that mean two or
story, there is a wide range of structures andmore likewise important narratives developing
plot forms. A traditional or typical plot consists ofsimultaneously.
a beginning with introduction of the problem,Enhancing the Plot Structure:
middle - development of the problem, and an endThere are other devices that authors often use
that elaborates the problem. If you read andfor enhancing the plot structure. They are
study a story, you'll find that it comprises ofreversals of fortune, foreshadowing, abrupt
these elements.transitions, digressions, and juxtapositions of
Less Predictable Plots:contrasting settings or characters. You'll find these
As the trend set by the former writers, most ofelements in most of the modern writings.
the writers write stories in a typical way which isDeliberate Ambiguity vs. Unambiguous Resolutions
often predictable. Nevertheless, some writersThere is deliberate ambiguity or open-enddness in
break through the typical plot structure andstead of unambiguous resolutions or
venture into less predictable plots. One of suchclosed-endedness plot feature in many modern
powerful writers is Canadian Margaret Atwood.stories. The surprise endings of the stories of
Her Significant Moments in the Life of My MotherFrench author Guy de Maupassant influenced
(1983) seems to be plot-less but it is intentionallymany commercial writers as well as some literary
divided into 13 brief episodes.ones. His 1884 story The Necklace is remarkable.
Complicating the Plot Structure Using CertainAmerican author O. Henry became famous for his
Techniques:surprise endings and paradoxical style. His story A
Some innovative writers do not like to writeGift of the Magi (1905) is remarkable for this.
story with simple plot. They complicate theLater on, American writer William Faulkner used
structure of their plots by way of using certainthis kind of surprise ending in A Rose for Emily
techniques, and tactics. They make use of some(1931).
flashbacks and flash-forwards; with a frame thatA powerfully crafted story can create the sense
beautifully encloses the story or a story within aof awe, entertainment and pleasure in the reader.
story. If you study Indian writings in English, you'llNevertheless, it is up to the reader how to
witness the presence of story within the story.appreciate and enjoy a literary work.
Moreover, such writers also use subplots often